Schools; accreditation standards; deficiencies; permitting school districts to request a hearing on accreditation recommendations; rulemaking; effective date; emergency.

HB 1488 modifies Oklahoma's school accreditation process by requiring the State Board of Education to establish clear standards for school accreditation, including specific counselor staffing requirements. It creates a formal hearing process for school districts that disagree with accreditation recommendations, giving districts 10 working days to request a hearing after being notified, with accreditation status changes only taking effect if the district fails to act within 90 days. The bill mandates that non-accredited schools must be closed or reconfigured to ensure students attend accredited schools, and it includes exemptions from penalties for certain media-related standards if state funding meets specific thresholds. This directly affects public school districts, students, and school counselors across Oklahoma by changing how accreditation compliance is enforced and appealed.